Aquatic steering device



March 2, 1965 J. ABELOW 3,171,383

AQUATIC STEERING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1'7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Jose oh Ah/om ATTORNEY.

March 2, 1965 J. ABELOW 3,171,383

AQUATIC STEERING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1962 fliagmaa mmw INVENTOR.

ATTOR NEY.

United States Patent 3,171,383 AQUATIC STEERING DEVICE Joseph Ahelow, 4585 N. Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, Fla. Filed Aug. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 217,653

2 Claims. (Cl. 11570) This invention relates to aquatic devices, and, more particularly, this invention relates to a motor driven aquatic device comprising an elongated buoyant member adapted to be controlled by a standing operator both as to speed and direction.

In the past, there have been numerous types of motor driven aquatic devices adapted so that an operator may stand thereon. This invention relates to a novel improvement for devices of this type and provides novel means for steering and controlling the speeds thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an elongated motor-driven buoyant device which is provided with a control post on which there are controls for governing the operation of the motor and for controlling the direction of thrust of the motor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel type of steering mechanism mounted on a control post.

It is also an object of this invention to provide means on said control post for positive control of the motor when in operation and to instantaneously interrupt the thrust of the motor when the means are not being used.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an aquatic device comprising a main, elongated, buoyant body having a bow, stern and top supporting surface, which is adapted to be driven by a motor mounted at the stern thereof, an upright control post mounted to said supporting surface and having a steering member pivotally mounted thereon provided with a first means responsive to movement of the member whereby direction of the device may be controlled, and also provided with a second means mounted on said member for controlling the speed of the device through water, said second means being provided with an automatic cut-off for stopping the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a safe, highly entertaining aquatic device of the type desecribed hereinafter which is strong and durable, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which it is intended.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view showing the aquatic device;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of the control post;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the motor which is adapted to drive the aquatic device; and

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom plan view of the motor, which, as shown, contains controls for the motor gear shaft mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an aquatic device having a main body designated by the numeral 11, which is adapted to be driven by a motor 12 mounted at the stern thereof and which is further adapted to be steered by means which are provided on a control post 13. As best seen in FIG. 2, the control post 13 has pivotally mounted thereon, as at 14, on a horizontal axis arranged longitudinally of the craft, a control member generally designated 16 which is disposed within a shield 19, said memher having afiixed thereto a first means responsive to movement of the control member 16 whereby direction of the device may be controlled and a second means for controlling the motor 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first means comprises a cable 28 which is afiixed at one end thereof to the control member 16 through the tubular member 27, and at the other end thereof with the motor 12 whereby when a tension or compression force is exerted upon the cable 28, the motor is adapted to swivel about a vertical axis in the propeller shaft 32.

The second means, which is mounted to the control post 13 and which controls the speed of the aquatic device through water, comprises a hydraulic pressure cylinder 21 having a piston therein actuated by an arm 22 having a bifurcated handle 23 in engagement therewith, whereby pressure may be caused by movement of the handle 23 and transmitted through a pressure line 24 to a T-joint 26 located near the stern of the device where it is distributed by suitable means to a throttle on the motor 12 and gear shift 65.

As shown, the motor 12 is mounted to the stern 33 of the device by any suitable means to accomplish the aforesaid purposes; for illustrative purposes, clamps 34 are shown in FIG. 3. Housed within or suitably disposed on the device is a fuel supply tank 36 and means 61, illustrated in FIG. 1, to provide a path for the fuel to the motor.

Referring to the first means, it is readily apparent that the cable 28, providing mechanical communication between the first means and the motor 12 to control the direction of thrust caused thereby, may be replaced by an equivalent gear system or hydraulic system whereby pressures caused by movement of the control member 16 on the control post 13 will be suitably transmitted to cause the motor thrust to be changed. It is further apparent that instead of one cable 28, two cables, one on each side, alone or in combination with a pulley arrangement, may be utilized to control change of direction of the thrust of the motor in response to manipulation of the control member 16.

Referring to the second means, it is apparent that the hydraulic pressure line 24, providing control of the motor 12, may be replaced by other equivalent systems actuated by an operator at the control post 13, such as a pedal system, a pulley system, or suitably actuated gear train mechanism. Because many different types of propelling devices are available for aquatic devices, it is not possible to illustrate all possible embodiments and arrangements; however, the instant embodiment discloses that the revolutions per minute of the motor is the essential element which is to be controlled. On different motors the throttle or gear shift may be in different positions than shown on the accompanying drawings or may be in a single control mechanism; it is contemplated that a cylinder or cylinders responsive to the pressures in line 24 will be mounted to the motor at such points as may be convenient and suitably adapted to accomplish the purpose of this invention.

In use, an operator may control movement of the boat by standing upon the surface 37 of the device and manipulating the controls mounted on the steering post. Motor control is effected by depression of the bifurcated handle 23 causing the arm 22 to overcome the bias of the spring 51 and moving the piston not shown but disposed within the cylinder 21, whereby pressure is transmitted through the line 24 causing signal pressures to be directed through the T-joint 26 first to the gear shift mechanism through the line 41, and then to the throttle through line 39, both of which lines communicate with the motor. Steering is effected by movement of the control member about the pivot pin at 14 as a result of which the cable 28 exerts Patented Mar. 2, 1965.

either a tension or'compre'ssion force upon an arm 42 attached to a swivel point 62 onthe motor whereby the motor is caused to rotate about a central axis in a shaft 32 causing the direction of the device to be altered del pendent upon the direction in which the handles are depressed, i.e. clockwise or counter-clockwise about the point 14. r

The spring 51 extending from the cylinder 21, alone'or inicombination'with springs 52 and 53, provides an automatic mechanism whereby the motor Will berendered inoperative upon release of pressure upon the handle, 23 in i What is known as a deadmans switch.

While it has beenfound'thatparallel pontoon type members having asurface plate 37 joini'ng them and providing a top surface are suitable for the use of this inven tion, a single buoyant member is considered within the scope of this invention as Well as two ontoons connected in any manner. a v 7 An; important aspect of this invention is that steering of the device by a standing operator is caused by adepression of one end 17 or the other end 1-8 of the control member 16 which automatically causes the operator to assume a natural attitude which counteracts centrifugal force which are intrinsic in turns executed by the aquatic device. r

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in What isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom Within the scope of the invention, which is, therefore, not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded-the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles. 7

What is claimed is: 1. In an aquatic device having a main, buoyant, elon gated, rigid body having a bow, stern and top supporting surface, and adapted to have propelling means affixed 'i-response to said pivotal movement, to promote banking during a turn.

2. A steering device for rigid buoyant members, adapted to'be propelled through water comprising an upright controlsupport mounted to and disposed adjacent the front of said buoyant member, a control member mounted to saidfeontrol support and having a portion extending laterally outwardly in both directions from the point of engagement of said control member and said control support, each of said portions being adapted to be displaced downwardly upon application of "an unbalanced downward-force upon said control member and to remain stationary and in equilibrium upon an application of an equal force to each of said portions, and means operatively connected to said control member and responsive to downward movementof said portions for changing the direction thereto; a control postmounted to said top supporting surface adjacent the bow of said body; a steering member of said buoyant member, the body of the operator also being responsive to said downward movement, to promote banking during a turn.

References Cited in the file of this patent f UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,204,355 I Hickman Nov. 7, 1916 2,420,422 Gilliam -May 13, 1947 I 2,840,832 Fried July 1, 1958 3,081,729 'Lee Mar. 19, 1963 f FOREIGN PATENTS 56,662 France Oct. 2,1952

' 924,314 Germany Feb. 28', 1955 

1. IN AN AQUATIC DEVICE HAVING A MAIN, BUOYANT, ELONGATED, RIGID BODY HAVING A BOW, STERN AND TOP SUPPORTING SURFACE, AND ADAPTED TO HAVE PROPELLING MEANS AFFIXED THERETO; A CONTROL POST MOUNTED TO SAID TOP SUPPORTING SURFACE ADJACENT THE BOW OF SAID BODY; A STEERING MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID POST AND ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED IN A GENERALLY VERTICAL PLANE, SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF SAID BODY; AND MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH SAID PROPELLING MEANS, SAID MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BAR WHEREBY MOVEMENT THEREOF IS ADAPTED TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THRUST OF SAID PROPELLING MEANS, AND THE BODY OF THE OPERATOR BEING TILTABLE IN RESPONSE TO SAID PIVOTAL MOVEMENT, TO PROMOTE BANKING DURING A TURN. 